TV DEBATE, BUT NO STRAW POLL AT FLORIDA GOP GATHERING

Republican Party of Florida Chairman Jim Greer announced today that there would be no presidential straw poll when the party faithful come together in Orlando the weekend of October 20-21. Instead, the RPOF will host a live televised debate in partnership with Fox News Channel. (You really didn't believe they would get together with CNN, did ya?)

The announcement is a blow to backers of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who had been hoping that a good showing in such an event would earn him important publicity nationally and help him gain ground against the better known U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona and former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani.

Now that the Repubs have made their decision on a straw poll, it will be interesting to see what the Democrats do. My guess is that the supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton will seek to avoid such an event, while the Barack Obama and John Edwards camps will argue in favour. It promises to be something to watch.